China Biking
Beijing, Xian & the South
The history, culture and scenic riches of China have long intrigued the Western world, enticing travelers with its grand monuments, serene countryside and centuries-old traditions. On this biking adventure, you’ll see many different faces of this vast and fascinating country that most travelers to China would rarely see. Our decades-long relationships and unrivaled ability for finding authentic experiences uncover China’s complex diversity. A visit to southern China reveals a compelling - and often contradictory - tableau as you ride past the rice paddies, pagodas, and bustling villages and cities that exist in the midst of dynamic modern development. Then head to regal and contemporary Xian and marvel at the 2,000-year-old terra-cotta warriors. And, in newly cosmopolitan Beijing, explore the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Trip Planning Links
- Experience traditional life in rural villages and modern life in new cities
- The Terracotta Warriors, Tiananmen Square and more
- Marvelous biking by expansive rice paddies and the dramatic karst pinnacles of Yangshou
- The Great Wall, far from throngs of tourists
- Ride Chinese cruiser bikes to the Forbidden City
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 zhaoqing
Meet in Hong Kong 
Ferry up the Xi River and disembark to pedal to the ancient yet bustling city of Zhaoqing.
Day 2 deqing
Ride on peaceful country lanes, passing small farming hamlets on the outskirts of vibrant new cities Experience the allure of rural China as you spin past expansive fields of rice and sugarcane.
Day 3 wuzhou
Follow the course of the great West River, through new towns and remote villages, for a memorable day of biking Join a local farming family in their rural home for a taste of daily life Enter bustling Wuzhou.
Days 4-5 yangshuo
Travel to Yangshuo through a landscape of green hills and lush rice fields Pedal past lakes, towering karst formations (limestone pinnacles) and traditional villages Immerse yourself in the stunning scenery on a private boat cruise on the Li River Visit the night markets to people-watch and search for beautiful crafts.
Day 6 xian
Fly to Xian and bike along the old city walls Take a walking tour of the awe-inspiring World Heritage site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum, home to more than 6,000 life-sized terra-cotta warriors.
Days 7-9 beijing
Fly to Beijing Spend the day hiking a remote section of the Great Wall Indulge in Peking duck and other Chinese specialties Pedal through the city on Chinese-style bikes Explore sprawling Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
India Biking Vietnam Biking Thailand BikingOther Asia/Pacific Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
In my opinion, Backroads is the only way to really see and experience China. We loved the routes through rural areas that were not used to seeing North Americans! And in contrast, riding through Beijing with 7 million fellow cyclists was quite a rush! I feel that I really experienced all that China has to offer! Although the days were very full of activity, it was necessary in order to pack it all in. An outstanding itinerary!!!! Thank you Backroads, once again!- Toronto, ON More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
China Biking
TOWN & COUNTRY COMFORT: Premiere Inns*
OYC Hotel
Zhaoqing (1 night) A modern resort with every conceivable amenity and scenic lake views.
Cui Ran Ju Hotel
Deqing (1 night) Currently the most charming and comfortable lodging that quiet Deqing has to offer.
* Casual Inn
Wuzhou Riverside International Hotel
Wuzhou (1 night) A casual hotel centrally located in lively Wuzhou, close to restaurants, shops and other attractions.
* Casual Inn
Paradise Yangshuo Resort
Yangshuo (2 nights) A small comfortable hotel in the center of town with a beautiful swimming pool and great shopping nearby.
* Casual Inn
Hyatt Regency Xian
Xian (1 night) A sleek modern hotel ideally situated within the ancient walls of historic Xian.
Peninsula Beijing
Beijing (2 nights) The choice of foreign dignitaries, this luxurious five-star hotel has scores of amenities and a great location in central Beijing.
China Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Ferry to Gao Ming 3.5 hours
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 19 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 33, 56 miles
- 400 - 1800 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 30, 60 miles
- 500 - 900 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Bus to Yangshuo 7 hours
- Level 1 1 Route Options Available
- 14 miles
- 0 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 17 miles
- 100 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Fly to Xian
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 6 miles
- no elevation gain
Day 7
- Walking Tour 1 hour
- Fly to Beijing
Day 8
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 3 miles
- 1000 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 9
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 5 miles
- no elevation gain